Summary: Just as the Pharisees didn’t read the clear signs of the first coming of Jesus,many people today are missing the clear signs that point to the second coming of Christ. Four spiritual signs that are too bold to miss.

When you hear the phrase, “It’s a sign of the times” what comes to your mind? If you’re into music you might think of the #1 hit song in the 1960s by Petula Clark, “It’s a sign of the times, that your love for me is getting so much stronger.”

We often use that expression when we see something that has become a part of our lives that is different from the way things used to be. When you see someone texting you think, “It’s just a sign of the times that everyone seems to have a smart phone these days.” That sign is because of the change in technology. In other words, “the signs of the times” always point to some important changes happening in our world.

It’s not a new expression. In His ongoing debate with the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus accused them of being unable to interpret the signs of the times. We can read about this encounter in Matthew 16:1-4:

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, ‘When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ Jesus then left them and went away.”

Jesus was amazed that these religious do-gooders could look at the sky and read the signs to know what kind of weather was coming, but they couldn’t read the sign of His presence among them as the Messiah. He said the only sign they would get would be the sign of Jonah. That’s clear prediction of His resurrection. Jesus said in Matthew 12:40, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

It is easier to read weather signs than spiritual signs. Jesus’ remark about seeing a red sky was also expressed in an age-old sailors’ adage. “Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.”

If you live in East Texas long enough you can start reading the signs of weather changes. In a few weeks, you’re going to head out one morning and it will be 80 degrees. But during the day you’ll notice a shift in the wind direction from the north. If you can read the signs you know that one of our famous “Blue Northers” is on the way. Cold air is diving down from Canada and though you were wearing short sleeves that morning, you’ll be pulling out your coat by that night. One of the most famous blue northers happened on 11/11/11. That’s November 11, 1911. Early in the day the temperature in Dallas was a balmy 83 degrees by that evening the temperature had plummeted to 17 degrees. That’s a 66 degree change, and that record still stands today. If you don’t read the signs of a blue norther coming, you’re going to be shivering in your short sleeves!

Just as the Pharisees didn&#8217;t read the clear signs of the first coming of Jesus,many people today are missing the clear signs that point to the second coming of Christ. Four spiritual signs that are too bold to miss.

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